Shizuoka prefecture, the largest and best tea growing region of Japan, has a long history of presenting tea to the Emperor. The Shizuoka prefectural government carefully selects one city to grow tea plants and create Temomi green tea (hand-rolled green tea) exclusively for the Imperial House every spring.

This year, our Shimada city was selected, and our tea master- Kazue Sugimoto received the honorable invitation to make Temomi green tea for the Japanese Imperial Family. Here’s the pictures just arrived from Shizuoka. The best Temomi green tea masters were gathered to produce this special tea yesterday.

For the tribute tea, one of the best tea fields in Yui (湯日) district of Shimada city was selected.The tea plants were grown with extreme care for a year.

The tea field gets blessing before the harvest.

Best young tea leaves were carefully hand-picked by ladies wearing the traditional Cha-Musume (茶娘) costume.

Premium tea leaves that were grown and picked exclusively for the Imperial House

Maiko (舞妓) added grace to the ceremony.

Temomi artisans working with solemnity

Temomi masters swiftly working on the tea at the traditional platform called “Hoiro (焙炉).” Hoiro has fire underneath to dry tea leaves.

Tea leaves were gradually dried and rolled into a shape like a needle.

Our Temomi Master, Kazue Sugimoto

The final process of Temomi technique called “Kokuri (こくり). ” Kokuri finalizes the shape of tea leaves and enhances leaves’ brilliancy.

This is the premium Temomi green tea exclusively created for the Imperial House. This tea will presented to the Emperor by the end of May.

Kazue Sugimoto will produce Temomi Shin Cha again on April 16th, and the limited quantity of this special Temomi green tea is available for purchase online.